More than 200 officers have raided 12 addresses and arrested nine alleged members of the gang that was dubbed the Diamond Geezers
More than 200 officers have raided 12 addresses and arrested nine alleged members of the gang that was dubbed the Diamond Geezers.
Three of the suspects are pensioners.
Flying Squad detectives confirmed they had discovered several large bags in one house which contained “significant amounts of high-value property”.
And investigators are said to be “very confident” the haul contains numerous precious items stolen in the burglary over the Easter weekend.
During a day of dramatic developments, it emerged two of the men arrested included 76-year-old car dealer Brian Reader and his son Brian, 50, who is known as Paul.
BBC 
Two more pensioners, aged 74 and 67, and five other men between the ages of 43 and 59 were arrested in simultaneous raids across the London and Kent area. Their combined age was 533.
The nine suspects were all being questioned at a police station in London on suspicion of conspiracy to burgle.
A source close to the investigation said the men were all “white British” and fit the profile of “proper old guard” London gangsters.
The dramatic operation came just over six weeks after thieves staged a burglary worthy of a Hollywood film script at Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Ltd in Central London.
But after police triumphantly announced news of the arrests, Met chiefs apologised over the force’s failure to respond to an alarm on the first night of the audacious burglary.
The force’s computer-aided dispatch system received a call from the security firm but no police response was deemed necessary - a decision which stopped the thieves being caught red-handed.
The alleged gang members arrested were under 24-hour covert surveillance for up to a week after detectives received intelligence suggesting they were involved in the raid.
Armed officers were on standby during the arrests but did not enter any of the properties targeted by police.
The case had been shrouded in secrecy since dozens of boxes were discovered opened with their contents stolen when staff returned to work after the Easter break.
World exclusive CCTV images, uncovered by the Mirror just days after the raid, show six men dressed in builders’ gear entering the building after it closed on the Thursday evening before Good Friday.
One of the gang is believed to have disabled the communal lift shaft at the top of the building, which enabled him to abseil down and let the others in through a fire escape.
The gang then worked tirelessly through the night to start burrowing their way through the vault’s concrete wall.
They clocked off at 8.12am on Good Friday, before loading up tool bags into a white van that was captured on CCTV outside the vaults.
Detectives yesterday appealed for information about a white van – registration number DU53 VNG – that was seen in the area at the time of the raid.
They would not be drawn on whether or not it was the vehicle caught on camera.
The gang did not return again until the Saturday evening at 10.17pm.
Again the same gang member abseiled down the lift shaft before opening the fire escape door to let two others in.
Daily Mirror 
They had ransacked 72 boxes, taking cash and gems worth tens of millions.
Some of the goods belonged to businesses in Hatton Garden, home to almost 300 diamond, gold and gem dealers and about 50 jewellery shops.
Investigators have refused to reveal exactly what was stolen but sources confirmed around £60million in precious jewels, gems and watches was taken.
Detective Superintendent Craig Turner, head of the Met’s Flying Squad, said: “This has been an exceptional, complex investigation and I thank everyone for remaining patient.”
Commander Spindler also praised the investigating team and said: “They’ve worked tirelessly and relentlessly, they’ve put their lives on hold over the last six or seven weeks to make sure that justice is served.”
Four of the men suspected over the raid were arrested in Enfield, North London, and one other was detained in East London. Two were arrested at an undisclosed location.
Police last night remained outside an address in Enfield.
A marked car was parked in the drive where two uniformed officers sat.
Detectives visited the home several times but would make no comment.
Neighbours said neither the man who lived there – a plumber – nor his family had been seen all day. One said: “I would be amazed if he has anything to do with it. He is such a nice guy.”